Malecite tales / by W.H. Mechling.

  • Mechling, W. H.
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Malecite tales / by W.H. Mechling. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of bugs, making it unfit to drink. Grandmother replied that she had no water but that Akwulabemu had it all. “Go and tell him that the Chief wants a drink,’’ said Gluskap. The old woman said, “We can get no water except on giving Akwulabemu a young girl. I have given two girls to him already and have but one remaining. Moreover, he tortures all the girls in his camp. They must obey all his commands, and before speaking to them, he pokes them in the face with a hot poker. Were I to go there I could not recognize my own daughter; she is so scarred and all her hair has been burnt off. But Gluskap insisted that she get the water. Groundhog yielded and sent forth her daughter, who had instructions to say that the Chief insisted absolutely on having the water. She arrived at Akwulabemu’s camp and stated her errand. Akwula- bemu said in reply, “The great man you have at your camp thinks that he is going to have good water to drink.” He put a dish of water on the girl’s head, saying, “Take this to the great man. I have been washing my face and feet with it.” This greatly angered Gluskap, who refused to use the filthy water. He arose, armed with a club, intending to go forth and break his head and free the water. Gluskap first went forth to destroy Akwulabemu’s stone canoe, which was floating near the shore. Then he entered the camp, where he noticed many scarred girls who were too frightened to murmur a sound. Gluskap approached Akwulabemu and said, “Are you trying to destroy all the people? You should have known that I was coming and that I am Gluskap, chief of everyone.” The old man answered, “You may be chief of the animals and men, but you will have to fight first.” “Thus do you insult me,” said Gluskap, and taking his club, he struck him and broke his skull. An animal sprang forth from his head and at full speed rushed toward the canoe. Gluskap immediately gave chase to it. When the animal saw that the canoe was broken, it suddenly became a serpent. Gluskap killed it with his club, and straightway the springs and brooks filled with water that was clear and pure. Gluskap called out all the bugs and worms and made them a great feast of the snake. Gluskap then returned to the old woman’s camp and told her to go out and proclaim to the populace that the great chief had freed the water, that Akwulabemu was dead, and that the springs and
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